Introduction: The Standard of a Generation

In the modern landscape of professional wrestling, spectacle often overshadows substance. However, the career of Joshua Lemay is known to the world as Josh Alexander. His career is a powerful testament to an almost-anachronistic philosophy. His story is built on a relentless, two-decade obsession with the craft. He shows unwavering resilience in the face of career-ending injuries. He maintains an unshakeable commitment to in-ring excellence. His arrival in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in April 2025 was not merely the start of a new chapter. It was the culmination of a journey that began on the rugged Canadian independent circuit in 2005. This path was marked by physical sacrifice and overlooked potential. Ultimately, it led to record-shattering triumphs. Alexander embodies the modern “workhorse champion.” He is an ideological descendant of the technical masters he idolized. These include Kurt Angle and Eddie Guerrero. His story is one of the most compelling in contemporary wrestling. It is a narrative of a man who let his work speak for itself. Eventually, the entire world had no choice but to listen. He joins the global stage of AEW as a veteran at the zenith of his powers. He is not an unproven prospect, but a fully-formed main event talent. His value is intrinsically linked to the very history that forged him.  

Chapter 1: Forging the Weapon in the Canadian North

The journey of “The Walking Weapon” began not with a grand design, but in the aimless uncertainty of youth. By his own admission, Joshua Lemay was an “overweight teenager” with “no plan, no path”. The idea of becoming one of the larger-than-life figures he watched on television seemed utterly far-fetched. Everything changed on November 5, 2005. He first stepped into a wrestling ring on that day. He discovered what he would later call his life’s “obsession”.  

His formal education in the unforgiving world of professional wrestling came from “Hotshot” Johnny Devine. Devine was a grappler trained in the infamous Hart Dungeon tradition. Devine’s school was the antithesis of a polished, modern training facility. It was, as Alexander recalled, a “terrible hole of a storage space.” The training ring was a brutal instrument. It was a boxing ring with “no give, and very little padding.” This environment was deliberately designed to test one thing above all else: heart. Devine’s tryout was a grueling physical test. It consisted of 100 push-ups, 100 crunches, and 300 squats. Of the 20 who attempted it, only five made the cut by refusing to give up. Alexander was among them.  

This “brutal” training was a philosophical indoctrination. It taught not just moves, but a deep-seated respect for the business and an immense capacity for pain. Fellow trainee Miss Danyah had a vivid recollection. She later married Devine. She recalled that students would “walk out broken, limping, sore as hell.” Yet, they would each come back for more. It was in this unforgiving environment that the foundation of Alexander’s entire career was laid. He learned to endure, to respect the craft, and to push beyond his limits. This foundational toughness was critical at the start of his career. He began on the regional Canadian independent circuit. In 2010, he met fellow wrestler Ethan Page at Ontario’s Alpha-1 promotion. The two became close friends. A year later, they formed the tag team Monster Mafia. This collaboration set the stage for their future conquests.  

Chapter 2: The Scars of Ambition: A Career Defined by Injury

To understand Josh Alexander, one must understand the litany of injuries that have shaped him. They are not mere footnotes in his career. They are the very source material for his identity as “The Walking Weapon.” He is willing to wrestle through extreme pain. He risks his career for an opportunity. This reveals a level of obsession that defines his character both inside and outside the ring.

The pattern of enduring and overcoming began in 2013. He suffered a neck injury during a match in AAW Wrestling. Just a few months after returning, he re-injured his neck. This occurred during a tryout match for Ring of Honor (ROH) against ReDRagon. The diagnosis was severe: a herniated disk that would require his C5 and C6 vertebrae to be fused. Faced with a choice that would have sent most to the sidelines, Alexander made a fateful decision. Fearing he would “squander the opportunity to work with ROH,” he kept the injury a secret and continued to wrestle.  

This set a dangerous precedent. In 2015, while wrestling for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), he injured his neck for a third time. This time, surgery was unavoidable, and in July 2015, he announced his retirement from wrestling. It was a terrifying and uncertain period, but the retirement was short-lived. Less than a year later, in April 2016, I saw him compete in May at an event in Oshawa. Alexander returned to the ring. He once again defied medical expectations. It took over two years for the nerve damage to fully heal, but he eventually felt better than ever.  

Perhaps the most visceral example of his tenacity came in 2013, when he suffered a gruesome injury to his ear that required it to be surgically reattached. Alexander faced a potential 12-week recovery period. Instead, he purchased amateur wrestling headgear. He returned to action in just 10 days. What began as a practical solution to avoid time off became an iconic part of his persona. The headgear not only made him stand out visually but also served a crucial function, as the injury resulted in significant hearing loss in his right ear, and the gear protects it from further damage.  

This pattern of wrestling through pain continued even after he signed with TNA. During a pre-show match at Hard To Kill 2021, he broke his heel. However, he powered through the subsequent television tapings. He did not want to be shelved at the start of his singles run. On a per-date contract, he could not afford to miss paychecks to support his family. Years later, at the absolute peak of his career, a torn triceps muscle changed everything. He was forced to do the one thing he always fought against. He had to relinquish the TNA World Championship in March 2023, ending his historic reign prematurely. Each scar, each surgery, and each comeback added layers to the man’s legend. He simply refused to be broken. 

Chapter 3: The North Remembers: Conquering TNA’s Tag Team Division

Josh Alexander spent years grinding on the independent circuit. His career reached a major turning point. This occurred when he signed a three-year contract with TNA/Impact Wrestling in February 2019. A documentary by filmmaker Glen Matthews hyped his arrival. He soon reunited with his old partner, Ethan Page. They rebranded their team from “Monster Mafia” to the more formidable “The North.” Their debut was on the April 12 episode of Impact! as heels, immediately establishing their dominance.  

Their ascent was swift and decisive. The duo was a perfect synthesis of Page’s charismatic microphone work as “the loudmouth.” Alexander’s intense in-ring prowess made him “the ass-kicker.” Together, they quickly targeted the top of the division. On July 5, 2019, at the Bash at the Brewery event, they defeated The Latin American Xchange (Santana and Ortiz). This victory allowed them to capture the Impact World Tag Team Championship for the first time. This victory marked the beginning of a historic reign that would become a crucial stabilizing force for the promotion. The North was there during a period of rebuilding. Other top teams like LAX and the Lucha Bros had departed for the newly formed AEW. The North provided the tag division with a credible, long-term anchor.  

Their goal, as Alexander stated, was to “raise the bar” for tag team wrestling. They wanted to build a legacy comparable to TNA’s greatest teams, like America’s Most Wanted. They backed up this ambition with an incredible 380-day reign. It was the longest for any championship in the company’s history at that time. Throughout this dominant run, they faced challenges from top teams in the tag division. These included The Rascalz, Reno Scum, and the team of Rich Swann and Willie Mack. They even battled the bizarre duo of Ken Shamrock and Sami Callihan. Their reign finally came to an end on the July 21, 2020, episode of Impact! at the hands of the legendary Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley).  

The North captured the titles for a second time at Bound for Glory in October 2020. However, this reign was short-lived. They lost the belts just 21 days later to The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) at Turning Point. Soon after, the team began to fracture. This led to Page’s departure from the company. The official disbandment of The North followed. This move inadvertently launched Alexander into the most successful phase of his career.  

Chapter 4: The Ace Ascendant: A Singles Legacy is Born

With the dissolution of The North, Josh Alexander found himself at a crossroads. The departure of Ethan Page forced him to “sink or swim” as a singles competitor. He embraced the challenge. He turned face and embarked on a run. This run would cement his status as one of the best wrestlers in the world. This ascent began in the X-Division, a cornerstone of TNA/Impact Wrestling. At Rebellion in April 2021, Alexander defeated Ace Austin. He also defeated TJP in a thrilling three-way match. This victory allowed him to capture the X-Division Championship for the first time.  

His reign was not merely a title run; it was a mission to restore the championship to its former glory. Kenny Omega held the Impact World Championship for AEW. During this time, Alexander positioned himself as the company’s true standard-bearer. He became the “King of the Mountain” and the “Impact savior” fighting for the promotion’s honor. He backed up this claim with a series of spectacular title defenses that elevated both himself and the championship. He retained the title in an Ultimate X match at Slammiversary. He defeated a host of challengers. These challengers included Black Taurus, Jake Something, and Chris Sabin.  

The defining moment of his X-Division reign came on June 3, 2021. He defended the title against TJP in Impact’s first-ever 60-minute Iron Man match. The grueling contest was a showcase of Alexander’s incredible stamina. It highlighted his technical skill. It also demonstrated his storytelling ability. Alexander won 2-1 in sudden death overtime. It was a critically acclaimed bout that solidified his place among the company’s elite.  

Having established the X-Division Championship as a prestigious prize, Alexander set his sights on the grandest prize of all. This led to the perfect narrative vehicle for his main event ascension: “Option C.” This unique TNA rule allows the reigning X-Division Champion to vacate their title voluntarily. In exchange, they receive a guaranteed World Championship match. At Victory Road in September 2021, Alexander successfully defended against Chris Sabin. He then confronted then-World Champion Christian Cage and invoked Option C. Alexander sacrificed the title he had worked so hard to elevate for a shot at the pinnacle. This act of self-belief carried immense narrative weight, positioning the homegrown hero against the “outsider” champion from AEW. The stage was set for Bound for Glory. Alexander had the chance to complete his journey. He aimed to transform from a tag team specialist into the face of the company.  

Chapter 5: The Heart and Soul of TNA: A Reign for the Ages

Josh Alexander’s journey to the TNA World Championship is a story of extreme highs and lows. It resulted in him having the unique distinction of both the shortest and longest reigns in the title’s history. His first taste of the gold was tragically brief. At Bound for Glory on October 23, 2021, he achieved his dream. He defeated Christian Cage in an emotional main event. This victory crowned him the new World Champion. The celebration, however, was cut short. As he stood in the ring with his wife, fellow wrestler Jade Chung, and their son, Moose’s music hit. Moose, the winner of the “Call Your Shot” Gauntlet, cashed in his championship opportunity immediately. He defeated the exhausted Alexander in mere minutes. Moose stole the title.  

This heartbreaking moment ignited one of the most personal and intense feuds in recent TNA history. Over the next six months, Moose tormented Alexander, targeting his family and attempting to break him psychologically. Alexander was suspended for his rage. This suspension led to a cathartic and violent climax at Rebellion on April 23, 2022. In a brutal main event, Alexander overcame Moose’s mind games and physical punishment to reclaim the TNA World Championship, this time for a reign that would redefine the modern era of the company.  

This second reign established Alexander as the undisputed “face of the company” and a proud ambassador for the brand. He was a true fighting champion. He defended the title against a diverse array of challengers. These were a series of critically lauded matches. On January 4, 2023, he officially surpassed Bobby Roode’s 256-day reign. He became the longest-reigning TNA World Champion of all time. His historic run ultimately lasted 335 days. Unfortunately, it was cut short by a triceps tear in March 2023. This forced him to relinquish the championship. I was eager to see him defend the TNA World Championship at Rebellion 2023. The event was to be held from Rebel in Toronto. Sadly, this did not occur due to his injury. But I was sitting row 2 ringside by the entrance ramp. The quality of his title defenses was exceptional. The variety of challengers he faced further cemented his reputation as one of the world’s elite performers. This is illustrated below.  

Table 5.1: Key Defenses of Josh Alexander’s Record-Breaking TNA World Championship Reign

Opponent	Event	Date	Critical Reception/Notes
Tomohiro Ishii	Under Siege	May 7, 2022	A hard-hitting “dream match” showcasing his strong-style capabilities against the NJPW legend.
Eric Young	Slammiversary	June 19, 2022	Defeated a former World Champion and TNA veteran on a major pay-per-view.
Alex Shelley	Emergence	August 12, 2022	A technical classic against a respected TNA original and fellow master technician.
Eddie Edwards	Bound for Glory	October 7, 2022	Main evented TNA’s biggest show of the year in a highly praised, physical match. It ended with a bloody-nosed Alexander roaring in defiance.
Frankie Kazarian	Over Drive	November 18, 2022	Defeated another respected veteran who had also invoked Option C to challenge for the title.
“Speedball” Mike Bailey	Impact!	December 8, 2022	The match was a spectacular 60-minute classic on weekly television. It is widely regarded as a Match of the Year contender. It is also ranked among the best in company history.
Bully Ray	Hard To Kill	January 13, 2023	Won a brutal “Full Metal Mayhem” match, concluding a deeply personal and violent feud with the hardcore legend.
KENTA	Impact!	March 30, 2023	His final title defense before injury; another hard-hitting match against a Japanese legend known for his stiff strikes.

This remarkable series of matches faced opponents ranging from Japanese legends and technical wizards to hardcore brawlers. This diversity provided objective validation of the reign’s quality. It transformed a list of title defenses into a data-backed argument for his status as an elite champion. PWInsider.com’s Mike Johnson believes this era will “define IMPACT long after it concludes”.  

Chapter 6: The Walking Weapon’s Arsenal: An In-Ring Analysis

Josh Alexander’s in-ring prowess is the engine of his career. It is a compelling fusion of different wrestling philosophies. This creates a believable and intense style. He combines the raw power and high-impact suplexes influenced by the Steiner Brothers. He also incorporates the sophisticated mat wrestling and submission game from his idols, Kurt Angle and Ken Shamrock. This approach is often described as a collegiate or amateur wrestling style infused with pure aggression. It allows him to have credible, hard-hitting matches with any opponent. This is true regardless of their size or style. 

His arsenal is defined by two signature maneuvers that are deeply connected to his personal history and wrestling philosophy. The first is his devastating finisher, the C4 Spike—a double-underhook piledriver. For a man who endured multiple neck surgeries, including a C5-C6 fusion, using a piledriver variation is bold. It is a clear display of confidence. It shows remarkable control. Because he has broken his neck twice, Alexander himself has addressed the perceived irony. He stated there is “no way I’m ever hurting anybody’s neck”. This turns a dangerous-looking move into a symbol of his technical mastery and trustworthiness in the ring. He has performed the move over a thousand times without complaint, a testament to his precision.  

His second key weapon is the Ankle Lock. He adopted this submission hold to honor two of the move’s most famous practitioners. They are Ken Shamrock and Kurt Angle. Alexander had profound respect for wrestling’s lineage. He sought and received the “blessing” from both men. This allowed him to use the hold as a regular part of his repertoire. The Ankle Lock is more than just a submission for him. It serves as a connection to the wrestlers who inspired him. It is also a perfect fit for his intense, grappling-based style. There are many ways to enter and exit the hold. This adds excitement and drama to his matches. Opponents desperately try to escape his grasp. The C4 Spike and the Ankle Lock together capture the essence of “The Walking Weapon.” He is a technician with the power to end a match through explosive impact. He can also use grueling submission.  

Conclusion: All Elite, Maple Leaf Pro, Still a Weapon

Josh Alexander cemented his legacy as the “heart and soul” of TNA Wrestling. He became the “flag bearer” during one of its most critical periods. He then embarked on the next phase of his career. His TNA contract expired in February 2025. He then made his highly anticipated debut for All Elite Wrestling on the April 16, 2025, episode of Dynamite. He was revealed as the surprise “Wild Card” entrant in the prestigious Owen Hart Cup Tournament. He faced “Hangman” Adam Page in a hard-fought match. This match immediately showcased his main-event credentials.  

Though he was unsuccessful in his debut, Alexander made an immediate statement. He aligned himself with the cunning Don Callis and his villainous faction, The Don Callis Family. This was a deliberate and strategic evolution of his character. After years as the ultimate “company man” in TNA, he changed his persona. He became a pragmatic, dangerous mercenary. Alexander explained the move as a necessity. In a new and established landscape, he said, “I needed to join forces with some people.” This was to really get ahead. It is the logical move of a veteran. He has learned from two decades of “the hustle.” Pure wrestling talent is not always enough to secure one’s position at the top.  

This new alliance provides him with a clear identity. It grants him immediate access to top-level programs in a stacked AEW roster. This setup paves the way for many dream matches. He can face names like Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, and Swerve Strickland. His journey from an overlooked Canadian independent wrestler to the longest-reigning champion in TNA history is a story of obsession. It also tells a tale of resilience and an unwavering belief in the power of work ethic.

On top of his AEW commitment, Josh has also been a regular for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling. Scott D’Amore resurrected it in 2024. The lineage goes back to the old Maple Leaf Wrestling days with the Tunney family. On May 10, 2025, he competed in two matches. These matches were part of the Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling Northern Rising event. The event took place at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly known as Maple Leaf Gardens. In the first match on the card he wrestled and beat fellow AEW competitor Q.T. Marshall. In the event’s main event, he competed in the 20-man Gauntlet For The Gold match. It was an over-the-top-rope battle royal until the final two competitors. Then it became a one-on-one match where the winner would be crowned the MLP Canadian Champion. The final 2 where Josh Alexander and Matt Cardona. Josh won the match to become the champion. During the next MLP event, Resurrection took place on July 5 in Laval, Quebec. Josh successfully retained the championship. He defeated former TNA star Ace Austin.

Now, on the biggest stage of his career, the company may have changed, but the philosophy remains the same. Josh Alexander is, and always will be, a walking weapon.